Which Do you Prefer?

[Postman Prat]

The Gresley V2 looks better than both 'Castles'. However, that is not the question.
The Castle, like the A3, was designed to be single chimney and, in my opinion, they both look better that way.
Lots of locos were retrofitted with double chimneys because they were more efficient/more economical

[Mountain Goat]

For the castle class (Along with other Great Western engines) they were designed to burn Welsh anthracite coal so the single chimney was ideal. In B.R. days the coal could come from anywhere so they had to modify the designs to draw better, hence the need for a larger diameter chimney to increase the airflow. Great Western locomotives did not perform as well as expected when they were exchanged in 1948 when the "Great Locomotive Trials" took place but the locos which came our way (South Wales) e.g.the LNER A4 were said to perform good. It was all due to the coal used. Also, as GWR locomotives were made to burn anthracite, they didn't need large ashpans as anthracite burns cleaner and does not leave so much ash. (Now you know why GWR didn't bother building 4-6-2's which needed the extra pony wheels to support a much larger ashpan (Also especially needed for the long London to Scotland runs)).
It is a case of horses for courses. It is why under B.R. after 1948, generally speaking only certain locos moved to different regions. It isn't that GWR locos can't burn other coals. It is more the case they dont perform as well on them.
I also noticed that in general the GWR engines had a different sound then most other locos. They had a real "Blast" through the chimneys. I know that the various loco designers for the GWR (Churchward, Collett etc) were said to have travelled the world looking at other designs and many features which became classed as Swindon had origions from far flung places. The boilers, for example were based on a Canadian design to prevent boiler explosions if a loco gets stuck smokebox down in a snowdrift, hence the taper in the boiler which prevents the firebox end from being starved of water during such an unfortunate event.

[Malcolm 0-6-0]

I much prefer the single chimney - a better aesthetic.

[glencairn]

For elegance and style —- Single chimney.

Glencairn

[Hound Dog]

Don’t know much about steam locos as not my era, but to the eye the single chimney looks right.

[Pannier Tank]

Looks like the single chimney is winning

Mrs PT preferred the double and I the single



John

[Pannier Tank]

The Gresley V2 looks better than both 'Castles'. However, that is not the question.
The Castle, like the A3, was designed to be single chimney and, in my opinion, they both look better that way.
Lots of locos were retrofitted with double chimneys because they were more efficient/more economical

Sorry PP, I did not realise there were other engines than those made by the Great Western

Heyside is all LMS and a fair few members of the group are very much LMS men. We even have a Southern fan! Yes I know, Southern, who would have thought it so I get lots of 'stick' when I take my gorgeous loco's to run. Luckily for me there are a few GW fans who pop in from time to time.

I am planning to get an ex LMS loco to run on Heyside at shows, the only problem is I can not have that gorgeous Crimson colour because Heyside is late 1950's.


I also want to get a B1 in that gorgeous LNER Apple Green. I may well have to look to having a 'Heritage' Railway selection for Shelby Wood Sidings.

John

[footplate1947]

I have a both and I like them both but if I had to choose I go for the original single chimney and reading this most seem to agree. ...........

[glencairn]

Looks like the single chimney is winning

Mrs PT preferred the double



John

Looks like the double as won.

Glencairn

[Pannier Tank]

I am boxing cleaver, I can blame the forum